Category Archives: Darlington Civic

The Importance of Being Earnest

Posted on April 17, 2013 by andybramfitt

  A wonderfully witty and erudite play from the master of clever words Set over 3 acts, The Importance of Being Earnest avoids delving into serious social and political issues and instead focusses on the light hearted shannigans of two … Continue reading →

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Rumours of Fleetwood Mac – Truly Amazing

Posted on February 21, 2013 by andybramfitt

Anyone who loves music from the past 40 years will have no doubt enjoyed at least a handful of Fleetwood Mac’s songs; from their first hit Albatross right through to the 80′s smashes Big Love and Little Lies. Likewise their … Continue reading →

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Gilbert & Sullivan, Abridged but too much

Posted on February 20, 2013 by andybramfitt

Masters of light opera and the pastiche and parody of the 19th Century British class systems, Gilbert & Sullivan wrote many productions which played on ridiculing the foundations of the Empirical society and, as such, were loved throughout the world. … Continue reading →

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Coming to Darlington Civic This Week

Posted on February 16, 2013 by andybramfitt

What a real variety of fantastic theatre experience we have this week at Darlington Civic – Tuesday I will be enjoying the wonderfully witty and cleverly concise works of Gilbert & Sullivan (abridged). Whether you are a Gilbert and Sullivan … Continue reading →

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The Woman In Black – truly frightening

Posted on February 5, 2013 by andybramfitt

  With the current trend for immediate visual gratification, be it in the movies, online or via ultra-realistic video games, good old fashioned ghost stories are often thought of as relics of days gone-by;  the telling of tales around a log … Continue reading →

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Sleeping Beauty at Darlington Civic

Posted on December 13, 2012 by andybramfitt

Is it really legal to have this much fun ? Pantos are all about fun, good ol’ fashioned, silly and daft fun, and this one is one of the very best I’ve seen, ever.  The production is top notch with a … Continue reading →

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Haunting Julia at Darlington Civic

Posted on November 28, 2012 by andybramfitt

Winter is a traditional time for ghost stories; the dark nights, howling winds, driving rain all create an atmosphere of doom and despair which the best Gothic writers manage to draw into their tales of apparitions and unsettled souls.  Billed … Continue reading →

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Soul Sister – Simply the Best

Posted on November 20, 2012 by andybramfitt

  Like many people born in the 70′s I didn’t really know a lot about Tina Turner until she hit the charts in 1983 with “Lets stay together”, quickly followed by “What’s love got to do with it” and, later, … Continue reading →

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Bouncers – A Top Night Out

Posted on November 15, 2012 by andybramfitt

  Take 4 actors, already brilliant in their own careers and add to them the witty, insightful and hilarious writing of one of this country’s best playwrights and what do you get – one of the funniest shows seen at Darlington … Continue reading →

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Blood Brothers at Darlington Civic

Posted on November 8, 2012 by andybramfitt

First things first – apart from watching Becca’s school drama abridged version of this modern masterpiece reviewed previously I have never seen Blood Brothers.  Sure, I know the story and, having ran lines with my eldest for 3 months, I had a … Continue reading →

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Footloose – Darlington Operatic Society

Posted on October 25, 2012 by andybramfitt

  “Let’s hear it for the boys….and girls“ As a child of the 70′s my early teenage years were filled with the Brat Pack style 80′s movies - St Elmo’s Fire, Pretty in Pink,  Stand By Me (I can’t add Top Gun into that … Continue reading →

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Jo Clifford’s Great Expectations at Darlington Civic

Posted on October 17, 2012 by andybramfitt

    Deeply and darkly delicious It was a dark night; rain was brooding, the last vestiges of summer had been swept away by the cold north breeze while curtains were pulled tight to keep the night out and the warmth in.  … Continue reading →

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Joseph and his Dream Coat at Darlington Civic

Posted on September 19, 2012 by andybramfitt

  One of the worlds best known and most loved muscial shows is back at Darlington Civic this week and, despite it being an incredible 44 years since first performed it shows no signs of getting old or going stale. Everyone knows … Continue reading →

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This Wednesday – Rick Wakeman at Darlington Civic

Posted on September 10, 2012 by andybramfitt

For any fan of music, be it pop, rock or progressive ‘what the *** is this’ greatness, there is no one who even gets close to Rick Wakeman’s style, influence and importance.  Rick has been behind some of the last … Continue reading →

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Dry Rot – I kid you, not !

Posted on June 27, 2012 by andybramfitt

Straight from the horses mouth In this current climate of dodgy politicians, corrupt cricketers and footballers fraudulently pretending to actually give a d… it was quite fitting that this week’s foray to the theatre was to watch a Whitehall Farce … Continue reading →

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Beyond the Barricade – The Ultimate Musical Show

Posted on June 14, 2012 by andybramfitt

Give yourself over to absolute pleasure Nostalgia always seems to make the past look better than the present; the summers were warmer, the roads quieter, petrol cheaper, wagon wheels (much) bigger so in this cold, wet June I had a real need … Continue reading →

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Cirque du Ciel ShangHi – simply amazing

Posted on June 1, 2012 by andybramfitt

Last night we all went to Darlington’s Civic theatre to watch what was the most amazing, awe-inspiring display of skill, strength and ability we’ve seen this year.  In the year of the London Olympics, it seemed very fitting that we witnessed just … Continue reading →

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Cirque Du Ciel at Darlington Civic – On 31st May to 2nd June

Posted on May 31, 2012 by andybramfitt

The highly-awaited and internationally acclaimed production of ShangHi by Cirque du Ciel returns to the UK, by overwhelming popular demand.  With more than 30 amazingly multi-talented and highly-skilled performers, this marvellous two-hour extravaganza combines acrobatics, modern dance, martial arts, original … Continue reading →

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Dancing Queen at Darlington Civic

Posted on May 24, 2012 by andybramfitt

Karaoke, Talent TV, Jive Bunny and Cruise Ships have a lot to answer for  Billed as a spectacular song & dance extravaganza, Dancing Queen struggles to define itself or even agree on what type of show it is.  Centred, as the title … Continue reading →

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Yes, Prime Minister

Posted on May 10, 2012 by andybramfitt

The new Whitehall Farce, at Checkers  This updated version of Yes, Prime Minster, written by the original creators Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn brings a non-party specific view of life behind the scenes for the Prime Minister, Jim Hacker and … Continue reading →

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Titanic at Darlington Civic

Posted on April 25, 2012 by andybramfitt

A performance as powerful and awe inspiring as the great ship herself. It was quite fitting that on this, the opening night of DarlingtonOS production of Titanic, that the heavens had opened and the audience arrived already soaked through and … Continue reading →

Posted in Darlington Civic, History, Music, Theatre, Titanic, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Anne Boleyn at Darlington Civic

Posted on April 18, 2012 by andybramfitt

  If only history had been this much fun when I was at school ! I didn’t really get history when I was at school, either because of the way it was taught or because I remember most of my … Continue reading →

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The Most Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Posted on April 13, 2012 by andybramfitt

Who says Pantomime is just a Christmas thing ?  The tried and tested formula of songs, jokes, slapstick humour and well known stories is so often mothballed from Jan to Nov because tradition dictates that Pantomimes are not for all … Continue reading →

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My first time at Burlesque and I loved it

Posted on March 17, 2012 by andybramfitt

Wow – what a night, how can I have missed out on this for so long? Last year I was very lucky to go and see DrumChasers and those who read the review will remember I thought I had seen … Continue reading →

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Swallows and Amazons Forever

Posted on March 6, 2012 by andybramfitt

  A wonderful exercise in imagineering which every child should be encouraged to try. There have been some amazing developments in cinematography recently – high definition, IMAX, 3D – not to mention the fantastical CGI demonstrated in films such as … Continue reading →

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On Golden Pond at Darlington Civic

Posted on March 2, 2012 by andybramfitt

A heart-warming, genuine and sincere look at the autumn of life  It’s not very often that a play comes along for which I have no pre-conceived ideas.  Even less so when the story, and the film, has received such plaudits … Continue reading →

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Save the Last Dance for Me at Darlington Civic

Posted on February 21, 2012 by andybramfitt

The music loving populous of Darlington have been very well treated recently, with David Essex last week and now a trip back into the sugar coated, popcorn smelling jukebox musical of the early 1960’s.  This latest offering from the Director … Continue reading →

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The Only Way is Essex, David Essex

Posted on February 15, 2012 by andybramfitt

The original TOWIE factor in Darlington   I was too young to really be a part of the original David Essex fan club (honest) – I know of his hits from radio play rather than fandom, I am aware of his … Continue reading →

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Cinderella at Darlington Civic

Posted on December 7, 2011 by andybramfitt

It’s panto time and as befits the age old tradition, Darlington Civic have once again produced a classic, fun-packed evening for the whole family.  This years festive frolic is Cinderella, and whilst the story stays true to the tried & … Continue reading →

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The Holly and The Ivy

Posted on November 22, 2011 by andybramfitt

  It’s Christmas Eve 1947, towards teatime with a log fire burning in the grate, snow in the sky and Holly & Ivy decorating the walls.  The scene is set for the latest play from the Middle Ground Theatre Company … Continue reading →

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The Glee Club at Darlington Civic

Posted on November 15, 2011 by andybramfitt

“It started out as a few drinking buddies singing songs round a pub piano, it became one of the most respected and professional outfits doing the club circuit across the north of England” – and so The Glee Singers, and … Continue reading →

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Mr Stink proves the art of storytelling is still alive

Posted on November 8, 2011 by andybramfitt

When I was growing up I loved to read; a good story could keep me rivetted for days and I loved classics such as Watership Down, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Swallows & Amazons and Charlie & The Chocolate Factory.  As I … Continue reading →

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They’ve done it again – The Producers at Darlington Civic

Posted on October 26, 2011 by andybramfitt

Pigeons, Nazis, many different herrings, cooked books and little old ladies – all the ingredients for a wonderfully funny & entertaining evening.  Of course, it’s the writing of Mel Brooks that binds all these obscure & lets face it weird … Continue reading →

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Buddy Returns – the Buddy Holly Story at Darlington Civic

Posted on October 17, 2011 by andybramfitt

I have a lot to thank my Mum & Dad for; my sense of what is right & wrong, a confidence in the kitchen to try new tastes and a great appreciation of all types of music.  It’s true that our choices in music … Continue reading →

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DrumChasers in the North East – a new masterpiece

Posted on October 5, 2011 by andybramfitt

You know, with all the social media, tweeting, facebook etc I honestly thought that the days of finding a new show for which I had no ideas, expectations or pre-conceptions was sadly over.  (To tell you a secret, all my … Continue reading →

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The Verdict is in – it’s a hit

Posted on September 28, 2011 by andybramfitt

  I have to admit that whilst I profess to being reasonably literate and enjoy a wide range of reading material in the bookcases at home, I have yet to enter into the realms of Agatha Christie – no particular … Continue reading →

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Strange things are afoot at Psychic and Science

Posted on September 25, 2011 by andybramfitt

I love scary movies, ghost stories and tales of the supernatural; Japanese films like Ju-On, The Grudge and Ringu with their basis on spirit, vengeance and unfinished business are my staple fayre for a Saturday night.  Likewise local tales of the unexplained grab … Continue reading →

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